was Roberto Duran really that great?

[morancito]

Its insane how many people here think that Duran would lose to Splenda Shane Mosely among others...the guy who's notable wins at 135 come in the form of Leija and a spent John John Molina

Duran at 135 was a ****ing beast and it's quite clear that many who say otherwise haven't seen him fight at lower weights.

Duran/Chavez at 135 would be a hell of a fight. Whitaker would duplicate what he did to Chavez at any time in their careers.

I don't know the outcome of a Duran/Sweet Pea fight. Duran might catch up to him late in the fight and take him out.

Whitaker wouldn't have beaten a prime JC at 135. No way. When they fought JC was past his prime and two weight categories heavier. And 135 was JC's best weight, imo, although the one in which he spent the least time.

[oldgringo]

Whitaker wouldn't have beaten a prime JC at 135. No way. When they fought JC was past his prime and two weight categories heavier. And 135 was JC's best weight, imo, although the one in which he spent the least time.

Whitakers style was the complete opposite of what Chavez succeeded against. Whitaker might even be knocked down...but he'd beat Chavez at any weight.

[morancito]

Whitakers style was the complete opposite of what Chavez succeeded against. Whitaker might even be knocked down...but he'd beat Chavez at any weight.

I just don't think Whitaker could take the punishment of a prime Chavez for 12 rounds at 135. I really don't.

[SweetScience]

Some you guys need to check out some tape of Whitaker during the mid 80s.

I was not impressed and many writers during the time agreed with me.

[Sister Sledge]

Prime Duran vs Prime Chavez at 135 is the single best fantasy fight that could ever be made. And both of those guys destroy Mosley, Whitaker and Mayweather at 135. Easy.

Duran was not a great boxer, he was a great fighter. He didn't have one punch KO power, but he was relentless and a bull. One thing is he was also dirty. A fight with him and Chavez would have been classic.
However, I beg to differ when you say they would have beaten Whittaker and PBF easy. Sweat Pea could arguably have beaten Duran, and I personally think he would. PBF, I don't think he would have beaten Duran, but maybe Chavez.
Duran was beaten in his prime by DeJesus, who was no Whittaker. Whittaker barely lost a round in him prime, let alone a fight.

[cple]

Duran not a great boxer? The thing about Duran is that he was so ferocious and intense in the ring, people overlook his skill, especially as a boxer and defensive specialists. Duran excelled at both and is easily one of the most well rounded fighters to ever live. If you watch Duran closely in his prime, he was rarely hit by a clean shot. Most incoming punches were blocked, slipped, or grazing.

Duran could do it all in the thing. IMO, he's the greatest infighter of all-time and could beat anyone who ever fought at 135 and below.

[morancito]

Duran was not a great boxer, he was a great fighter. He didn't have one punch KO power, but he was relentless and a bull. One thing is he was also dirty. A fight with him and Chavez would have been classic.
However, I beg to differ when you say they would have beaten Whittaker and PBF easy. Sweat Pea could arguably have beaten Duran, and I personally think he would. PBF, I don't think he would have beaten Duran, but maybe Chavez.
Duran was beaten in his prime by DeJesus, who was no Whittaker. Whittaker barely lost a round in him prime, let alone a fight.

Duran WAS a great boxer and whoever says otherwise clearly didn't see him fight in the 70's, when he ruled the lightweights for the entire decade. DeJesus would have been an all-time great if not for Duran. Whitaker would have had nothing on a prime Duran at lightweight. And I mean nothing. And please, don't tell me you actually believe PBF would have beaten a prime Chavez at 135. PBF was rocked by (and probably lost to) Castillo, a fine fighter but not even half the boxer JC was. Chavez DESTROYS Floyd at 130, 135 and 140.

[ispayder]

Your custom title suits you well. Duran wasn't a person who just liked to brawl you "friggin idiot". If you knew anything about him then you'd know that he was an excellent boxer as well as brawler.

I agree with you that Duran is both a boxer and a brawler, I like his swarming style, He is definitely one of the greatest lightweights that ever lived.

BTW I hate your sig.

If you really believe what's in your sig. I am betting 50M pts for Pacman on a straight bet.

[elveiel]

WFT??

Roberto Duran was a great fighter!!

[oldgringo]

I agree with you that Duran is both a boxer and a brawler, I like his swarming style, He is definitely one of the greatest lightweights that ever lived.

BTW I hate your sig.

If you really believe what's in your sig. I am betting 50M pts for Pacman on a straight bet.

I think I have 38 mil on it with thrilla...

Ill go 50 mil straight up with you too...if you accept